X-H2s First job impression / Control comments

I brought the X-H2s on an assignment for the first time yesterday, shooting it in conjunction with X-T4 and T3.

First and foremost I’m happy with the camera, and I look forward to getting it under my skin.

Secondly though… I do have to give in and back some of the criticism about the ergonomics, or design idea.

So, for the T-series love the traditional handling. But, I'm actually FOR the more “Modern SLR/Hybrid” ergonomic path when it comes to a more “workhourse” kinda camera.

BUT I think that the departure went a step to far. I think that it's very likely that a lot of people are gonna use the X-H2s together with a X-T camera. And swapping between the two series is so different in handling, that for me it has become an annoyance. I DO think that most of that annoyance will be ironed out when I get the ergos in under my skin. But as I see it, a lot of the hiccups could have been avoided.

Heres a list:

1. DRIVE MODE:

There is no real reason X-H2s could not have a sub-dial under PSAM. Yesterday i kept pausing when looking for the DRIVE mode, Especially while in Electronic Shutter mode (I was shooting a classic concert).. When in ES-mode there is no indication of shooting speed, so having the external control to ensure what DRIVE mode you are in would have made my day easier. Fujifilm wanna push the C1-7 usage and I see how it can be a great idea to have C1-7 remember different drive modes, but this could be offset by including a “C-M (Custom-Memory”) on the sup-dial. This would have made everyone happy.

2. Exposure compensation:

So, I think there is a theoretical reason Fujifilm killed it, and it makes… theoretical sense, but not practical sense.. Here goes, in Manual mode exposure compensation has (almost..there is Auto ISO, tho) no place. So it's not needed, but in P, S and A mode you will have a free command dial that is not in use, and that is now your exposure dial.. That's the Idea, but I don't think it works well. Like i wrote earlier a lot of photographers are gonna use this camera together with a T series and the muscle memory of where to reach is challenged hard here, sure every one can get used to this with time. But we didn’t REALLY have to. I think Fujifilm could have squeezed a dedicated +/-. Sure you can customize your way out of this.. But then i'm a custom button or two short PLUS the visual dedication of +/- is important for me, this could be a button or a dial I don't really mind.

3. WB:
has a dedicated button now, GREAT… But I keep pressing the right’est D-Pad, that's where it is on X-T and where it will stay (cuz there ain't nowhere else) . I imagine this will take forever to brain-revert for me, and stay an annoyance for a long time, or ill D-Pad it and have a useless WB button.

4. ISO:
Now… the ISO button I CAN get used to… and then not. Because it has two flaws that I hope will get firmware fixes

4.1: Its push and dial. You have to look at the LCD or EVF to change ISO. I am SO used to Nikon way of doing this.. And it's frankly better.. The Fix: make push/hold an option. Give an enlarged top screen ISO indication while ISO button is held down, when not held down.. Go back to normal. This is how ALL other brands work, some have Fujis way as an customization option.

4.2. The ISO dialing is the wrong way as to what I’d expect, and I can’t reverse this in the menu… I get what Fujifilm says about it turns the same way as the ISO dial of Fujifilm cameras.. But my brain turns the other way.. And from what I can gather, i'm not alone.

5. Joy-stick:

Fujifilm is terrible at keeping a consistent ergo/bottun placement. They often swap the placement of buttons for no obvious reason or with no great gain.. X-T3 and 4 have AF-ON AE-L and Q swapt around like someone throwing dice. In this case they threw the Joy-stick in the mess, This can all be gotten used to, it’s just annoying and I don't see gain in the rearrangement.

That’s it, my Ergo/Control/Design rant, I’m otherwise impressed with especially the Autofocus. The EVF is nice, but you only really notice it when you then afterwards pick up a T series, that have all of a sudden been degraded

As a former X-T3 user, and now X-T4 user, I agree on the ergonomics.

When I ran a 'spare' body, it was always the same control set - Nikon D3/D3X and then 2 X-T3's.

But, these days I'll almost never take my X-T4 and X-H2S together and/or use them for the same things.

X-T4 is usable with moving subjects, but clearly the X-H2S is designed to out-gun it here.

Similarly, X-H2S is going to be a PIA, but less so, for landscapes and more contemplative scenes. That doesn't mean it's a niche camera, but it's capabilities are biased to action, the X-T4 is more general purpose IMHO.

It just means I have other cameras that I will prefer to the X-H2S for certain situations/subjects. But I knew that when I bought it.

Snap Happy wrote:

As a former X-T3 user, and now X-T4 user, I agree on the ergonomics.

When I ran a 'spare' body, it was always the same control set - Nikon D3/D3X and then 2 X-T3's.

although Nikon ergo evolved over the years, I always felt I could use any Nikon blindfolded regardless of generation... Except gen 1.

But, these days I'll almost never take my X-T4 and X-H2S together and/or use them for the same things.

X-T4 is usable with moving subjects, but clearly the X-H2S is designed to out-gun it here.

And in my opinion it REALLY does so, people are welcome to claim Sony and Nikon is still better, but ill not take statements that Fujifilm is lacking behind serious anymore.

Similarly, X-H2S is going to be a PIA, but less so, for landscapes and more contemplative scenes. That doesn't mean it's a niche camera, but it's capabilities are biased to action, the X-T4 is more general purpose IMHO.

I agree. This is actually also why I wanted Fujifilm to make this, another bonus might be that T series can remove the hybrid-focus and become more like the T3 was again, I hope so.

It just means I have other cameras that I will prefer to the X-H2S for certain situations/subjects. But I knew that when I bought it.

I guess us T3-4 users will just have to wait and see what Fuji does. IMO Fuji will not make a T5 with a stacked sensor like the Hs. Fuji is touting this as there flagship camera, they did the same with the H1 and when they put the same in the T3 with improvements the H1 did not sell well. I’ll bet they don’t want this to happen again.

I don’t want two bodies that work different. My setup works for me, hopefully down the road the T series will have something equal in speed and autofocus.

casey1823 wrote:

I guess us T3-4 users will just have to wait and see what Fuji does. IMO Fuji will not make a T5 with a stacked sensor like the Hs. Fuji is touting this as there flagship camera, they did the same with the H1 and when they put the same in the T3 with improvements the H1 did not sell well. I’ll bet they don’t want this to happen again.

I don't totally agree, I think T3 was a huge success and I think Fuji made the right move going all in with that and the T4 rather than holding back to make the H1 look good. As long as Fujifilm sells cameras it doesn't really matter which ones. But then I do agree some still, because I think the stacked 26mp sensor will be H2s exclusive, but not for the sake of crowning the H2s, but likely the 40mp sensor will be over all a better photography sensor. And thus most other Fuji cameras ARE photography cameras, I think the T5 will leave the Hybrid moniker and move back to T3 formular.

I don’t want two bodies that work different. My setup works for me, hopefully down the road the T series will have something equal in speed and autofocus.

My guess is that you will get everything in the H2s in T5 except for everything that CFesxpress unlucks since I think they Will stay SD for T5, that said the Buffer in H2s is impressive still only using SD. And sure I also think the T5 will get the 40mp sensor and I think that sensor will largely replace the current 26mp in all of the X-mount lineup, lets hope its good.

bleachfix wrote:

I hope you get used to it, they don't sound like huge problems.

Curious if you had the opertunity to test for banding with electronic shutter? The XT4 sometimes has strong banding at higher shutter speeds with LED lights.

I did actually, and I know what you mean with the LED lights and X-T4, but I did not have that problem yesterday at all, But in theory it should be less of a problem with the high readout, but you can never truly remove this problem as this is just how LED lights work, and you will find this to be an issue even with Film cameras, its just less emphasized with a shutter.

casey1823 wrote:

IMO Fuji will not make a T5 with a stacked sensor like the Hs.

I'm inclined to agree, I think it's more likely we'll see a 40MP X-T5 with the same sensor as the forthcoming X-H2 model (non-S).

Rumle wrote:

bleachfix wrote:

I hope you get used to it, they don't sound like huge problems.

Curious if you had the opertunity to test for banding with electronic shutter? The XT4 sometimes has strong banding at higher shutter speeds with LED lights.

I did actually, and I know what you mean with the LED lights and X-T4, but I did not have that problem yesterday at all, But in theory it should be less of a problem with the high readout, but you can never truly remove this problem as this is just how LED lights work, and you will find this to be an issue even with Film cameras, its just less emphasized with a shutter.

yes, the Nikon Z9 has a problem with some kind of LED light, and it's truly  annoying for photographers. At the contrary of Fuji, the Nikon has no mechanical shutter (but the faster readout of all camera of  the market)

Powerdoc wrote:

Rumle wrote:

bleachfix wrote:

I hope you get used to it, they don't sound like huge problems.

Curious if you had the opertunity to test for banding with electronic shutter? The XT4 sometimes has strong banding at higher shutter speeds with LED lights.

I did actually, and I know what you mean with the LED lights and X-T4, but I did not have that problem yesterday at all, But in theory it should be less of a problem with the high readout, but you can never truly remove this problem as this is just how LED lights work, and you will find this to be an issue even with Film cameras, its just less emphasized with a shutter.

yes, the Nikon Z9 has a problem with some kind of LED light, and it's truly annoying for photographers. At the contrary of Fuji, the Nikon has no mechanical shutter (but the faster readout of all camera of the market)

Actually, come to think of it. Global shutter WILL fix the banding 100% but inconsistencies in exposure with low frequency LED light would persist, as the flicker will still throw the photometry off

Rumle wrote:

I brought the X-H2s on an assignment for the first time yesterday, shooting it in conjunction with X-T4 and T3.

First and foremost I’m happy with the camera, and I look forward to getting it under my skin.

Secondly though… I do have to give in and back some of the criticism about the ergonomics, or design idea.

So, for the T-series love the traditional handling. But, I'm actually FOR the more “Modern SLR/Hybrid” ergonomic path when it comes to a more “workhourse” kinda camera.

BUT I think that the departure went a step to far. I think that it's very likely that a lot of people are gonna use the X-H2s together with a X-T camera. And swapping between the two series is so different in handling, that for me it has become an annoyance. I DO think that most of that annoyance will be ironed out when I get the ergos in under my skin. But as I see it, a lot of the hiccups could have been avoided.

Heres a list:

1. DRIVE MODE:

There is no real reason X-H2s could not have a sub-dial under PSAM. Yesterday i kept pausing when looking for the DRIVE mode, Especially while in Electronic Shutter mode (I was shooting a classic concert).. When in ES-mode there is no indication of shooting speed, so having the external control to ensure what DRIVE mode you are in would have made my day easier. Fujifilm wanna push the C1-7 usage and I see how it can be a great idea to have C1-7 remember different drive modes, but this could be offset by including a “C-M (Custom-Memory”) on the sup-dial. This would have made everyone happy.

2. Exposure compensation:

So, I think there is a theoretical reason Fujifilm killed it, and it makes… theoretical sense, but not practical sense.. Here goes, in Manual mode exposure compensation has (almost..there is Auto ISO, tho) no place. So it's not needed, but in P, S and A mode you will have a free command dial that is not in use, and that is now your exposure dial.. That's the Idea, but I don't think it works well. Like i wrote earlier a lot of photographers are gonna use this camera together with a T series and the muscle memory of where to reach is challenged hard here, sure every one can get used to this with time. But we didn’t REALLY have to. I think Fujifilm could have squeezed a dedicated +/-. Sure you can customize your way out of this.. But then i'm a custom button or two short PLUS the visual dedication of +/- is important for me, this could be a button or a dial I don't really mind.

Page 108 indicates it's the rear command dial.  That's much better than other brands that require a button press to do the same.

3. WB:
has a dedicated button now, GREAT… But I keep pressing the right’est D-Pad, that's where it is on X-T and where it will stay (cuz there ain't nowhere else) . I imagine this will take forever to brain-revert for me, and stay an annoyance for a long time, or ill D-Pad it and have a useless WB button.

Why not shoot RAW?

4. ISO:
Now… the ISO button I CAN get used to… and then not. Because it has two flaws that I hope will get firmware fixes

4.1: Its push and dial. You have to look at the LCD or EVF to change ISO. I am SO used to Nikon way of doing this.. And it's frankly better.. The Fix: make push/hold an option. Give an enlarged top screen ISO indication while ISO button is held down, when not held down.. Go back to normal. This is how ALL other brands work, some have Fujis way as an customization option.

4.2. The ISO dialing is the wrong way as to what I’d expect, and I can’t reverse this in the menu… I get what Fujifilm says about it turns the same way as the ISO dial of Fujifilm cameras.. But my brain turns the other way.. And from what I can gather, i'm not alone.

5. Joy-stick:

Fujifilm is terrible at keeping a consistent ergo/bottun placement. They often swap the placement of buttons for no obvious reason or with no great gain.. X-T3 and 4 have AF-ON AE-L and Q swapt around like someone throwing dice. In this case they threw the Joy-stick in the mess, This can all be gotten used to, it’s just annoying and I don't see gain in the rearrangement.

That’s it, my Ergo/Control/Design rant, I’m otherwise impressed with especially the Autofocus. The EVF is nice, but you only really notice it when you then afterwards pick up a T series, that have all of a sudden been degraded

I use the focus stick heavy and found the new one a great improvement and my thumb went right to it.

Morris

Yes, using cameras with different operational control takes time to get used to. Did you use the X-H1 before? If not, than the X-H2S will be completely new to you, so you just need to get used to it.

Are you saying they no longer have EV Comp?  That would be the stupidest decision ever.

FuzzyDice wrote:

Are you saying they no longer have EV Comp? That would be the stupidest decision ever.

It would and they didn't remove it.

https://fujifilm-dsc.com/en/manual/x-h2s/?_ga=2.31307513.733989221.1656420276-1384328183.1655396046

FuzzyDice wrote:

Are you saying they no longer have EV Comp? That would be the stupidest decision ever.

Sorry if it reads like that, I also see while rereading my OP that I made a mistake "and that is now your exposure dial.." should have said Exposure Comp dial.

But to clarify you still have Exposure Comp, but not with a dedicated dial. And I guess in fujifilms own default there is no Exposure Comp for all manual/auto ISO... which seams like a bit of a mistake..

Explanation of Fujifilms default:
M = no ExpoComp
A = Front Command is ExpoComp
S = Thumb Command is ExpoComp
P = I dont know, Thumb I guess

First of all, all of that is wrong in my book, I changed it to be front dial for ExpoComp in all modes since I will always use the aperture ring for... aperture. so that dial will be free to be ExpoComp always.

Rumle wrote:

FuzzyDice wrote:

Are you saying they no longer have EV Comp? That would be the stupidest decision ever.

Sorry if it reads like that, I also see while rereading my OP that I made a mistake "and that is now your exposure dial.." should have said Exposure Comp dial.

But to clarify you still have Exposure Comp, but not with a dedicated dial. And I guess in fujifilms own default there is no Exposure Comp for all manual/auto ISO... which seams like a bit of a mistake..

Explanation of Fujifilms default:
M = no ExpoComp
A = Front Command is ExpoComp
S = Thumb Command is ExpoComp
P = I dont know, Thumb I guess

First of all, all of that is wrong in my book, I changed it to be front dial for ExpoComp in all modes since I will always use the aperture ring for... aperture. so that dial will be free to be ExpoComp always.

The default for exposure compensation is the rear dial for P, A and S

Greybeard2017 wrote:

Rumle wrote:

FuzzyDice wrote:

Are you saying they no longer have EV Comp? That would be the stupidest decision ever.

Sorry if it reads like that, I also see while rereading my OP that I made a mistake "and that is now your exposure dial.." should have said Exposure Comp dial.

But to clarify you still have Exposure Comp, but not with a dedicated dial. And I guess in fujifilms own default there is no Exposure Comp for all manual/auto ISO... which seams like a bit of a mistake..

Explanation of Fujifilms default:
M = no ExpoComp
A = Front Command is ExpoComp
S = Thumb Command is ExpoComp
P = I dont know, Thumb I guess

First of all, all of that is wrong in my book, I changed it to be front dial for ExpoComp in all modes since I will always use the aperture ring for... aperture. so that dial will be free to be ExpoComp always.

The default for exposure compensation is the rear dial for P, A and S

I'm sorry, you are right It's still a mess. I don't know of other brands that have this way of viable control scheme across modes, In side my brain front command is ALWAYS aperture, when using a system that don't have aperture ring (front is closest to where the ring would be) Back is always shutter for me... messing with this challenges 20+ years of brain grind for me... and will likely throw me in to early-dementia.

Rumle wrote:

Greybeard2017 wrote:

Rumle wrote:

FuzzyDice wrote:

Are you saying they no longer have EV Comp? That would be the stupidest decision ever.

Sorry if it reads like that, I also see while rereading my OP that I made a mistake "and that is now your exposure dial.." should have said Exposure Comp dial.

But to clarify you still have Exposure Comp, but not with a dedicated dial. And I guess in fujifilms own default there is no Exposure Comp for all manual/auto ISO... which seams like a bit of a mistake..

Explanation of Fujifilms default:
M = no ExpoComp
A = Front Command is ExpoComp
S = Thumb Command is ExpoComp
P = I dont know, Thumb I guess

First of all, all of that is wrong in my book, I changed it to be front dial for ExpoComp in all modes since I will always use the aperture ring for... aperture. so that dial will be free to be ExpoComp always.

The default for exposure compensation is the rear dial for P, A and S

I'm sorry, you are right It's still a mess. I don't know of other brands that have this way of viable control scheme across modes, In side my brain front command is ALWAYS aperture, when using a system that don't have aperture ring (front is closest to where the ring would be) Back is always shutter for me... messing with this challenges 20+ years of brain grind for me... and will likely throw me in to early-dementia.

I don’t mind as long as it’s consistent - and it’s too late for early dementia

Rumle wrote:

FuzzyDice wrote:

Are you saying they no longer have EV Comp? That would be the stupidest decision ever.

Sorry if it reads like that, I also see while rereading my OP that I made a mistake "and that is now your exposure dial.." should have said Exposure Comp dial.

But to clarify you still have Exposure Comp, but not with a dedicated dial. And I guess in fujifilms own default there is no Exposure Comp for all manual/auto ISO... which seams like a bit of a mistake..

Explanation of Fujifilms default:
M = no ExpoComp
A = Front Command is ExpoComp
S = Thumb Command is ExpoComp
P = I dont know, Thumb I guess

First of all, all of that is wrong in my book, I changed it to be front dial for ExpoComp in all modes since I will always use the aperture ring for... aperture. so that dial will be free to be ExpoComp always.

I almost canceled my preorder. 😂